![A preview photo for an article about Josslyn Wade earning All-State Runner designation at the IHSA Cross Country State Finals]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1699207002/fenton100org/zyepg8byn84k5y87agvm/Preview-of-Josslyn-Wade-All-State-Runner-2023.jpg","width":2200}])
Week of October 30 to November 3
Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic en la bandera en la esquina inferior derecha y cambie el idioma.
Update from Superintendent Ongtengco
Dear Fenton Families,
Our school is successful and our students are finding their way. These last few years have been difficult but our Fenton Bison have persevered and are continuing to grow.
In reflection, I want to reiterate what Principal Bentsen said earlier this week in his email about our State Report Card.
State Report Card
After reviewing eight indicators of academic success and school quality, Fenton was issued a designation of COMMENDABLE, which is the second highest designation and the same designation we received last year.
In addition to the school designation, the Report Card shows how well Fenton is progressing on a wide range of educational goals. Our recovery efforts continue to trend us back toward pre-pandemic levels:
-
Fenton’s graduation rate of 87.4% (equal to the state average).
-
Fenton’s 9th Grade on Track to Graduate continues to fluctuate at or above the state average.
-
Fenton has made slight gains in English Language Arts (reading) Proficiency and Math Proficiency compared to last year’s report card.
-
Fenton’s attendance and chronic absenteeism have also improved compared to last year.
-
Fenton’s average scores on the Illinois Science Assessment is slightly higher than the state average.
We still have much work to do, but based on our progress we are certain these rates will continue to move upwards as our students and community rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The progress on the report card this year reflects the investments we have made in our Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and the progression of the District’s Strategic Plan.
US News & World Reports
While evaluating similar data, U.S. News & World Reports recognized Fenton High School as one of the 2023-2024 Best U.S. High Schools.
The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on nearly 25,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. For more information about the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, go to https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/rankings-overview.
We owe a bulk of this success to our hard working students and the support they receive from their parents. We’re also very proud of and thankful for our teachers, counselors, support staff, and administrators who guide our students every day.
Career Pathways is one of our newest efforts that is speeding up our recovery. We are executing plans to make sure every student has a potential career in mind by the time they graduate. That means students are being inspired by meeting real professionals and experiencing hands-on jobs. These efforts lead to increased student access to college or universities, a trade school, workplace or a labor union apprenticeship program.
Student Success
In September our Fenton School Board recognized seven students who earned 5s on their Advanced Placement Exams (the highest possible score).
Just last week our school board congratulated four students who earned College Board National Recognition Awards. These awards are part of an equity initiative to reward and elevate minoritized students with GPAs over 3.5 and whose test scores are in a top percentile in their state.
Specifically, let’s give a Huge Bison Shout Out to:
-
Alejandro Aguilar Carrera: National Hispanic Recognition Award
-
Cayden Lewis: National African American Recognition Award
-
David Severiano: National Hispanic Recognition Award
-
Samantha Sanchez: National Hispanic Recognition Award
Our successes occur in co-curricular and extra curricular activities as well. This is where students take the initiative and apply their knowledge and skills outside the classroom. We had numerous examples over the summer when most families were enjoying their down time. Let’s rewind real quick.
In June we recognized Class of 2023 graduate Esther Zachariah and current seniors Izabel Krajecki and Sofia Diaz for earning medals in the FCCLA State Finals. Family Careers & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a career-based club and all three students competed in the Children's Literature division. Izabel is currently an Intro to Education intern clocking time in a classroom at Johnson School as part of Fenton’s Education and Training college and career pathway.
July and August we recognized student success in athletics, which holds students accountable to academic standards and pushes them to apply leadership skills. Students who are active in sports or clubs typically earn at least one letter grade higher due to the added incentive and the extra time spent with adult mentors.
We celebrated current senior Kayla Valadez for earning All State 3rd Team honors and Class of 2023 graduate Kaitlyn Hoffing for earning All State 2nd Team honors during the 2022-2023 season.
Senior Alejandro Diaz of the boys basketball team earned an honorable mention for the Class 3A All State Team during the 2022-2023 school year.
“Probably one of the best things about this whole thing is that Alejandro has a 4.5 GPA,” Coach Chaz Taft told our Fenton School Board after listing numerous basketball stats.
Please join me in taking pride in our school, our community gem, and then let’s keep working together to give our kids the best future possible.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send an email to fentonhelp@fenton100.org
Let’s Go Bison
– James Ongtengco, Superintendent
Give the Gift of Life – Donate Blood
Fenton's Student Council is seeking donors for their November 9 blood drive, which will take place between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in room 302/304.
All students 16 and older, their parents, siblings, and members of the community are invited to participate.
Student Council members will be assisting the staff from Versiti Blood Centers. Everyone who donates blood will receive a free t-shirt and a coupon for buy one, get one entre for half price at Noodles & Co.
Please read the following helpful tips:
-
Bring a photo ID
-
Students under the age of 18 will need a signed permission slip
-
Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating blood.
-
Enter through Door 1 (our main entrance) and proceed to room 302/304.
-
Do not plan to participate in any sports or strenuous activities for the rest of the day after donating blood.
For more information, contact Christine Casterton by sending an email to casterton@fenton100.org.
Veterans Day Tribute Video
Fenton would like to recognize and honor Fenton families and our neighbors on Veterans Day. Last year Principal Bentsen led a video explaining the holiday and thanking those who served. If you have a family member or neighbor who is currently serving or previously served, feel free to send his or her
-
name,
-
branch of the military,
-
years served (exact range of years or total number of years served), and
-
a photo
to communications@fenton100.org by the evening of Wednesday, November 8 and we would be happy to include them in this year’s tribute. Previously submitted photos from current students and staff will be added to this year's video. Click here to view Fenton's 2022 video.
Picture Day Retakes/Makeups are November 13
Student portraits for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were on Wednesday, October 4. For those who could not attend or who do not like their first photo, retake/makeup picture day is set for Monday, November 13.
The photos will be available for purchase at www.lifetouch.com/ or by clicking on the links sent to parents directly from Lifetouch. For those who have not already ordered photos, the Lifetouch website will ask for a school code and Fenton’s code is EVTQMRZQ3.
Extra paper order forms are also available in the main office.
This retake/makeup day is not for seniors.
Sharing Thoughts on Art
Students in AP 2D Art recently visited the Art Institute of Chicago, where they learned about several artworks and engaged with museum curators in art critiquing and discussing the artworks.
Honor Roll Students Excited to Get Bumper Stickers
Fenton’s Honor Roll for the Spring 2023 Semester was recently released and students are encouraged to stop by the main office to retrieve their free bumper stickers. Those who feel comfortable posing with their bumper sticker could be featured on Fenton’s social media accounts. Congratulations to all our Honor Roll students! Keep up the good work!
Three Students Named to ILMEA District 1 Ensembles
Congratulations to the following BAND, CHOIR & ORCHESTRA students for being selected into the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District 1 ensembles. They have worked so very hard preparing their audition material for the last 7 weeks by meeting for weekly preparation sessions, and submitting mock auditions.
-
Lita Aguilar (Soprano 1)- Senior Choir
-
Ezrael Lukman (Cello)- Senior Orchestra
-
Benjamin Sanchez (Alto Sax)- Senior Band
Annually over 2,000 Students in Illinois audition to perform in an ILMEA ensemble (band, chorus, orchestra, jazz band or vocal jazz ensemble) within one of nine geographic districts. Based on that audition, Senior Level (grades 10-12 high school) students may be invited to participate in the annual All-District Festivals and Illinois All-State Music Conference.
The District 1 festival is on Saturday, November 18 at Elmhurst University.
Fenton’s Josslyn Wade is an All-State Runner
Congratulations to Sophomore Josslyn Wade, who qualified for the November 4 IHSA Cross Country State Finals and finished 16th out of 243 runners in the Class 2A meet. The top 25 runners are considered “All-State Runners.” Josslyn finished the 3-mile race with a personal best time of 17:48.13. Josslyn is Fenton’s first female cross country runner in known school history to earn the “All-State Runner” designation.
Leading up to the State Finals, Josslyn advanced with a 19.09 time at the Woodstock Cross Country Sectional and a 18:52.2 time (2nd overall) at the Kaneland Regional.
Fenton celebrated Josslyn prior to her historic race with a State Bound sendoff on Friday, November 2. Teammates, teachers, friends, and family gathered before school to wish her good luck as she prepared to depart for Peoria.
#BisonPride
Bison Swimmers Charge into Sectionals
Congratulations to our Bison Girls Swimming Team for a strong performance at the October 21 Upstate Eight Conference Meet, where the six Fenton swimmers qualified for the November 4 Sectional Meet in Downers Grove.
Special Bison Shout Outs to Simone Sosa, Lexi Menich, Veronica Losak, Bella Hanusiak, Sophia Sosa, and Izabel Krajecki for advancing to Sectionals after earning medals and setting personal best times at Conference. Congratulations to Lucy Rodriguez and Julia Belcik for also earning medals and setting personal bests.
Noteworthy Dates
-
November 6 – No School
-
November 9 – Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, 6 pm
-
November 11 – ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival
-
November 13 – Picture Retakes for Fresh/Soph/Jr
-
November 15 – PTO Meeting, 6 pm
-
November 15 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm
-
November 18 – ILMEA District 1 Festival
-
November 22 – Thanksgiving Break
-
November 23 – Thanksgiving Day
-
November 24 – Thanksgiving Break
-
December 1 – NHS Fall Community Service Deadline
-
December 1 – Students on Stage Showcase, 7 pm
-
December 15 – Holiday Assembly
-
December 17 – 98th Annual Band & Choir Concert, 2 pm